First Sight
It was past 9 p.m., and Smoke House was its usual vibrant self-a favorite hangout spot for young people. During the day, it was just an ordinary café, perfect for coffee lovers. By noon, it transformed into a workspace for tech enthusiasts and remote workers who attended meetings, had lunch, and caught up on tasks. At night, it became a cozy retreat for people looking to unwind after a long day-offering food, drinks, and even a chance to play music, sing, or try stand-up comedy.
That night, though, the place was unusually quiet, with just a few regulars scattered around. Anurag, the bartender, often entertained the crowd by playing music or singing. But this night was different. It was his last day at work, and he wanted to leave a mark.
Adjusting the mic, Anurag looked at the small audience. His best friend and roommate, Shamil, sat with a group of friends. Nearly everyone who knew Anurag since he moved to Bangalore had shown up.
“Good evening, everyone,” Anurag began with a slight smile. “I hope I’m not disturbing you. Since today is my last day here, I wanted to share something personal before I head back to my hometown. If I bore you, feel free to stop me,” he joked, pausing to take a deep breath.
“I’ve been working here for over three years, but what I’m about to tell you happened before I came to Bangalore. It’s the story of why I showed up at Shamil’s apartment one day, out of the blue. I’ve never shared this with anyone, not even my closest friends. Today, I’ll confess my secrets.”
Anurag leaned into the mic, his voice growing softer. “It all started on July 3rd, 2016. Back then, I was in my second year of a B.Sc. program-a course I didn’t even want to pursue. I hated science, even though I was good at it. Honestly, I hated my life. I was just a lazy, unemployed guy stuck in a loop of self-loathing. My days were empty, and I felt useless.”
He sighed. “That day began like any other. I slept till 2 p.m., woke up, brushed my teeth, and started watching Netflix. After brunch-if you can call eating while glued to your phone ‘brunch’-I showered, turned on the TV, and wasted more hours. My younger brother was at school, and my mom, an English professor, was at work. Our dad worked abroad, so it was just the three of us living in an apartment on the 13th floor of a building overlooking the Arabian Sea.
“Life was monotonous. Every evening, my brother would come home, and I’d give him snacks. My mom would return later, often disappointed in me, and that would lead to her lectures about how I was wasting my life. Frustrated, I’d storm out, only to repeat the same cycle the next day.”
Anurag paused, his eyes scanning the room. “But something changed that day. Around 6 p.m., after another argument with my mom, I grabbed my cap and left. I went straight to the rooftop of our building. It was my safe space, a place where I could be alone with my thoughts. As I stood at the edge, watching the sun set and the city lights flicker below, my mind was racing.
“I felt lost, questioning everything-my existence, my purpose. The weight of my failures was crushing. I wanted to scream at the universe, asking why I was even here. Was I just a mistake in some grand plan?”
His voice softened as he continued. “That’s when I heard a sound behind me. I turned around and froze. It was a girl, standing a few feet away. The rotating light from a distant lighthouse illuminated her face, then mine, in intervals. She looked embarrassed to see me, but her eyes showed curiosity.
“I, on the other hand, was a mess. Tears had been streaming down my face. For a moment, it felt like time stopped. The world around me faded away, and all I could see was her. I didn’t know what it was-love, attraction, or something else entirely. All I knew was that something inside me shifted in that instant.”
Anurag paused, his voice trembling slightly. “People say love at first sight is a myth, and maybe they’re right. But whatever I felt that night, it changed me. Looking back, I wish it had stayed a fleeting moment. Because sometimes, love can feel like a crime. And if loving someone isn’t a crime, then why was I punished?”
He fell silent, letting the weight of his words settle over the room. The audience, captivated, waited for him to continue.
